Officer With Exchange Program Prompted Shelter-In-Place At Princeton University

PRINCETON, NJ — The person with a gun at the Princeton University Art Museum was an officer who was privately hired by an exchange program that came to the museum to tour the galleries, the university clarified early Tuesday afternoon.

"The officer never removed the gun from its holster and was cooperating with investigating officers," the university said on its website. "No one was hurt. Further details will be posted as they become available."

The officer, who was not identified, didn't alert museum staff as to his presence ahead of time, according to the university. The officer, who was accompanying a group of teenagers, was wearing a badge, but no uniform, and was fully cooperating with the investigation conducted by Princeton police officers. The officer's presence prompted the university to issue a warning about a person on campus with a weapon just before noon on Tuesday.

"The Department of Public Safety has received a report of a person with a gun on campus, and people on campus are instructed to lock their doors and shelter in place," the university had announced on its website. "Emergency personnel are responding."

Just a few minutes later, the university issued an all-clear. The shelter-in-place was in effect for about 10 minutes.

"There is no threat," the university said via Twitter. "Normal activities can resume. Check email and homepage for updates."